With roots from one of our parent companies dating back to 1915, Skyland Grain, LLC is a grain farmers’ co-op providing producers with the supplies and services their operations need to succeed today and in the future.
Ensuring Your Operation Succeeds
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174+Million
Bushel Grain Capacity
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2Shuttle Loader
Locations
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400+Employees
to Serve You
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3Cotton Gins
for Your Convenience
Our Mission & Commitment
Mission
Connecting Our Producers to the World
Our Commitment
- All our interactions will be conducted with integrity and responsiveness
- The safety of our employees, producers and communities is paramount
- Environmental stewardship is our responsibility
- Sustainable growth is essential to our future
- The success of our producers contributes to our success
- Our financial strength is crucial to all stakeholders
Skyland Grain Gallery
About Skyland Grain
Skyland Grain, LLC, with cooperative roots from 1915, is headquartered in Ulysses, Kansas, and began operation August 1, 2004, with Johnson Cooperative Grain Co. and ADM Grain Co. as the founding parent companies. On February 1, 2010, Syracuse Cooperative Exchange also became a part of the joint venture, followed by The Cairo Cooperative Equity Exchange on May 1, 2015. The three co-ops came together in 2017 to form Skyland Co-op, Inc. Cropland-Coop, Inc. became part of the joint venture in 2019 and on January 31, 2021, Cropland Co-op, Inc. merged into Skyland Co-op, Inc. Ag Producers Co-op became a part of the joint venture on April 1, 2021, and later merged into Skyland Co-op, Inc. on January 31, 2023.
Today, Skyland Grain operates grain receiving facilities at 65 locations across Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas, with total licensed grain storage capacity of over 174 million bushels. Skyland Grain operates 3 cotton gins in Olton, Spearman, and Plainview, Texas.
Additionally, Skyland Grain has a full-service agronomy department that provides bulk liquid, dry, and anhydrous ammonia fertilizers, chemicals, and seed, as well as custom application for fertilizer and chemicals. Skyland also keeps customers moving with affordable Premium Roadmaster XL, Premium Ruby Fieldmaster, as well as Premium Cenex Lubricants. The fuel department also offers, fuel orders, bulk delivery, transport delivery, contracts, and 27 cardtrol locations.
Our Golden History
1915 - 1930
1915 - Cooperative is Formed
On June 18, 1915, the farmers of the Cairo Community joined together and formed a cooperative. At that time, there were no other cooperatives in the vicinity and very few in other areas. The area farmers saw an opportunity to increase their returns by joining together and marketing their grain cooperatively.
1915 - 1930
First Elevator Purchased
The Board President was John McGeffin. Their first act of business was to buy out a private elevator belonging to E. B. Sitton, which included a small elevator with a capacity of 3,500 bushels. There were 50 members of the cooperative that contributed $100 each. The first manager was Benard McGafin. After the cooperative started to grow, many of the local farmers started to notice their success.
1915 - 1930
Waldeck Elevator Purchased
Their next venture was to build an elevator in the Waldeck area where there was an independently owned facility already owned by the Barkers. Instead of building a new facility, the Barkers agreed to sell their 5,000 elevator to the cooperative.
1915 - 1930
Community Managers
After Benard McGafin, there were locals from the community to serve as manager. Guy Sitton, George Rosenbaum and Marion Williams to mention a few.
1915 - 1930
Johnson Co-op Grain Begins
Johnson Co-op Grain began in the 1930s with storage of 18,000 bushels.
1940
1942 - New Elevator at Cairo
The Co-op decided it needed to start updating facilities to handle their crops, so in 1942 they built a 103,000 concrete elevator for $26,000 at Cairo.
1940
1944 - Expansion into Big Bow
In 1944, there was a growing demand for service in the Big Bow area. The need was met by buying the facilities of a small elevator and hardware store.
1940
1947-48 - New Elevator in Manter
In 1947-48, the Cooperative had to meet a demand for elevator service at Manter. As a result, a new concrete 80,000-bushel elevator was built and the service station business was added.
1940
1948 - Service Station in Johnson
The super service station was built in Johnson in 1948.
1950s - 1970
1951 - Additions in Waldeck
In 1951, they added a feed grinding facility at Waldeck and eventually put in a roller. Also in 1951, the Co-op built a 100,000-bushel elevator at Cairo for $82,237.00.
1950s - 1970
1953 - New Elevator at Cairo
In 1953, another 221,000-bushel elevator was added at Cairo to keep up with the demand.
1950s - 1970
1958 - New Elevator in Cunningham
In 1958, The Co-op built a 255,000-bushel elevator in Cunningham
1950s - 1970
1959 - New Developments in Johnson and Suanders
In Johnson, the fertilizer department was added in 1959. A new concrete elevator was built in 1959 at Saunders and also included a service station.
1950s - 1970
1975 - New Elevator in Johnson
In the fall of 1975, the Co-op built a million bushel elevator in Johnson.
1950s - 1970
1976 - New Elevator Annex in Cunningham
In 1976 a new annex was added in Cunningham, making it a 550,000-bushel elevator.
1980 - Early 2000
1960 - Manager Dale Parson
Dale Parson became manager on March 1, 1960, and was there 41 years until his retirement on February 28, 2001. During Dale’s career with the Cairo Co-op, he saw many changes and substantial growth through the years.
1980 - Early 2000
1988 - Co-op Mergers
On February 1, 1988, the Preston Co-op merged with the Cairo Co-op bringing along the Preston and Turon locations. Another merger took place February 18, 1988, with the Penalosa Co-op bringing in Penalosa, Brown Spur and Calista into the group.
1980 - Early 2000
1992 - Purchasing Group Formed
In 1992, several Co-ops in the area including Cairo went together and formed Co-Mark Inc. which was a purchasing group.
1980 - Early 2000
1994 - Another Merger
Finally, in 1994, Arlington merged with Cairo bringing the total location count to nine grain elevators.
1980 - Early 2000
1999 - CCGP Formed
In 1999, Cairo Co-op and Farmers Co-op of Garden Plain purchased a 2 million bushel elevator in Wichita forming CCGP.
1980 - Early 2000
2001 - New Management
Cairo Co-op Manager Dale Parson retired in 2001 and was succeeded by Ed Laing (2001-2007).
1980 - Early 2000
2003 - Prairie King LLC Formed
Another joint venture between Garden Plain and Cairo Co-op in 2003 formed Prairie King LLC but was only in operation until 2007 and was then sold to Garden Plain.
2005 - 2008
2005 - New Joint Venture and Developments
In December of 2005, Cairo bought into a joint venture named Hutchinson Fertilizer LLC. The facility is owned by Cairo Co-op, Garden Plain Co-op, MKC and ADM. This facility has given them opportunities to buy in larger quantities. Looking forward to aging facilities, the Cairo Co-op has built two new elevators within the past several years. In 2005, Calista South was built with a capacity of 300,000-bushel legging capacity.
2005 - 2008
2007 - New Management
Kent Domsch was the manager of Cairo Co-op from 2007 to 2013.
2005 - 2008
2008 - New Purchase and Formation
In March of 2008, Skyland Grain became part owner of the Sante Fe Trail Grain Terminal LLC. The shuttle loader can load 108 rail cars. Additionally, Co-Mark Grain was formed.
2009 - Present
2009 - Purchased Facilities in Elkhart and Rolla
In June of 2009, we purchased facilities in Elkhart and Rolla from Cargill, increasing our storage by 2.7 million bushels.
2009 - Present
2010 - Syracuse Cooperative Exchange Joins
On February 1, 2010, Syracuse Cooperative Exchange became an owner and partner of the joint venture.
2009 - Present
2013 - New Developments
Then in 2013, a new facility was built one-half mile north of Preston. It has a 600,000-bushel capacity with 40,000-bushels per hour legging capabilities. Additionally, Co-Mark Energy was formed.
2009 - Present
2014 - New Leadership
David Cron became the CEO in 2014 and is also assisted by the Board of Directors. The current Board is made up of five local Patrons. They are John Steffen (Chairman), Kenny Bock (Vice President), Gary Barker (Secretary), Steve Freund (Director) and Jared Glenn (Director).
2009 - Present
2015 - New Participants
In February 2015, Cairo Co-op sold its half of CCGP to Farmers Co-op Garden Plain. On March 31, 2015, the Cairo Co-op exited all of the Co-Mark companies. Cairo Cooperative Equity Exchange became an owner and member of Skyland Grain LLC on May 1, 2015.
2009 - Present
2016 & 2017 - New Mergers
Syracuse Cooperative Exchange merged into Johnson Cooperative Grain Co. on February 1, 2016. Cairo Cooperative Equity Exchange merged into Johnson Cooperative Grain Co. on January 31, 2017.
2009 - 2019
2017 - 2019
At the annual meeting in May 2017, the membership unanimously approved to change the combined cooperatives’ name to Skyland Co-op, Inc. Today, Skyland Grain, LLC operates grain elevators in Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. We have 21 locations in Kansas, three locations in Northwest Oklahoma, and four locations in Eastern Colorado. When you add all locations together, Skyland Grain has a total licensed grain storage capacity of approximately 55 million bushels.
2019- Present
2019- Present
On September 1st, 2019 United Prairie Ag, LLC merged into Skyland Grain, LLC. With this merge, Skyland now operates 36 locations in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. When adding all of the locations together Skyland has a total licensed grain storage capacity of approximately 87 million bushels.
Careers
Now Hiring!
Many career opportunities are currently available with Skyland Grain in the Agronomy and Grain Departments. Find out how you can become part of the team!
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